House District 45, Serving Blanco & Hays Counties

The Texas Legislature adjourned a day early, having passed 9 of the 20 items on the governor’s call. Though we tackled some important issues, I’m disappointed that several conservative measures to constrain the growth of government (like property tax reform and spending caps for state and local governments) were not given full hearings and fell by the wayside.

One silver lining is the passage of House Bill 21. While it does not radically reform our school finance system, it does include much-needed relief to our retired teachers, who have been struggling with astronomical health insurance increases. It also creates a commission to recommend improvements to our “lawful but awful” school finance system.

Earlier this week I amended another bill to charge this commission with studying career and technical education regulations. CTE courses are critical to our current and future workforce, but I’d heard from constituents who explained how difficult and costly it was for our schools to comply with current regulations.

“Efforts like these are what we need to maintain a workforce for agriculture in this state,” said Russell Boening of the Texas Farm Bureau, one of several organizations advocating for increased CTE opportunities. “Training that allows our youth to make a good living not only supports families in our rural communities, but also across the state in suburban and urban areas.”

Unfortunately, the bill I amended didn’t make it, but I will work with the commission to ensure it includes CTE requirements in its review process so Texas can improve and expand our CTE offerings.

The special session was a lukewarm success for conservatives, but the fight isn’t over. You elected me to fight for true conservative values that allow our families to live our lives free from government overreach. And I’m not finished yet.

AUSTIN — Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) has filed House Bill 156, which will prohibit the State of Texas and local governments from collecting dues for trade associations representing government employees.

“Texas has collected literally millions of dollars on behalf of unions over the last few years, which is simply not the proper role of government,” said Rep. Isaac Thursday. “The majority of Texans recognize this fact and join me in supporting the end of this practice.”

HB 156 is companion legislation to Senate Bill 7 by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola). Prohibiting the use of taxpayer dollars to collect union dues is one of 20 items Governor Abbott included on the special session call.

“HB 156 strikes the right balance between transparent and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and preserving Texans’ rights to freedom of association,” Rep. Isaac continued. “I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Abbott and my colleagues in the legislature to pass this legislation.”

Rep. Isaac is a fourth-generation native Texan who has served House District 45 since 2011. He is the vice president of the Texas Conservative Coalition, the conservative caucus in the Texas Legislature, and founding chair of the Hill Country Caucus. He is proud to represent Hays and Blanco counties and lives in Drippings Springs with his wife, Carrie, and two sons.

AUSTIN — Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) announced his intention to file legislation for the upcoming special session to ban the State of Texas from collecting union dues.

“Texans don’t ask much of their government, but one thing they do expect is responsible and transparent stewardship of their hard-earned money,” said Rep. Isaac (R-Dripping Springs). “Texas is a right-to-work state, and it’s simply not appropriate for labor unions to be given preferential treatment. It’s long past time to end the outdated practice of using taxpayer-funded resources to collect dues for private organizations.”

“Texas taxpayers should not be on the hook for collecting union dues,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “The legislature made strides in advancing this measure during the regular session, and with the upcoming special session I feel confident we can get this measure across the finish line. I am thankful to Sen. Hughes and Rep. Isaac for working on behalf of taxpayers by filing this bill that will put an end to this practice.”

The bill’s Senate companion will be filed by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola). Prohibiting the use of taxpayer dollars to collect union dues is one of 20 items Governor Abbott included on the special session call.

Rep. Isaac is a fourth-generation native Texan who has served House District 45 since 2011. He is the vice president of the Texas Conservative Coalition, the conservative caucus in the Texas Legislature, and founding chair of the Hill Country Caucus. He is proud to represent Hays and Blanco counties and lives in Drippings Springs with his wife, Carrie, and two sons.

Independence Day is almost here, and it’s time to celebrate our country’s founding and the values that knit our society together: liberty and justice for all.

In that spirit, I want to personally invite you to Fire in the Sky, a free professional fireworks show at Dripping Springs Ranch Park on July 4th. Fireworks will begin at dark.

Would you also join me for dinner featuring The Salt Lick BBQ, live music, adult beverages from local businesses such as Treaty Oak, Twisted X Brewing, William Chris Vineyards, and more? The optional air-conditioned dinner helps my campaign committee with the costs of producing the fireworks show. Because of the overwhelming generosity of the attendees and sponsors, we cover our costs and donate the remaining proceeds throughout the district I serve, with a major portion of the proceeds benefiting the North Hays County Fire Rescue. You can purchase tickets to the dinner here. Dinner tickets are limited, so reserve today.

AUSTIN — Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) announced the passage of Senate Bill 1329, which will create two new courts in Hays County.

“Hays County is one of the fastest-growing in Texas and even in the nation. With such rapid growth comes significant challenges, including backlogs in the legal system,” Rep. Isaac said. “This legislation will help Hays County residents resolve their legal matters and reach justice while reducing frustrating delays.”

“Hays County last received an additional county court in 1987 and an additional district court in 2005. Since then, our population has increased dramatically placing a great burden on our courts,” said Hays County Judge Bert Cobb. “These new courts will ensure we are able to operate the efficient and effective justice system that our citizens deserve.”

SB 1329 is the 85th Texas Legislature’s omnibus bill creating several new courts across the state. Among other provisions, it creates the 453rd Judicial District, composed of Hays County, and the County Court at Law No. 3 of Hays County. The bill has been sent to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk to be signed into law.

“The passage of SB 1329 creating two additional courts in Hays County is the culmination of two years of work by several members of the local bar, our sitting judges, the Hays County Commissioners Court, and Representative Isaac’s office,” said Daniel O’Brien, a member of the local legal community. “The new courts will help meet the current high demand on judicial resources in Hays County to hear all types of cases and will allow community members to more quickly resolve their disputes. The new courts will also help the county keep pace with the acknowledged needs of our fast-growing population, including the continued increase in criminal, family, probate, and other civil case filings.”

“I’m thankful to Senator Joan Huffman (R-Houston), author of SB 1329, for recognizing the importance of these new courts to or community,” Rep. Isaac continued. “I was proud to work with Senators Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) to get this done for the constituents we serve.”

Rep. Isaac is a fourth-generation native Texan who has served House District 45 since 2011. He is the vice president of the Texas Conservative Coalition, the conservative caucus in the Texas Legislature, and founding chair of the Hill Country Caucus. He is proud to represent Hays and Blanco counties and lives in Drippings Springs with his wife, Carrie, and two sons.

AUSTIN — Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) successfully passed House Bill 1510, which transfers oversight of emergency services district (ESD) annual reports from the Texas Department of Agriculture to the Texas Division of Emergency Management. It also requires that the reports be published online.

“Public information about ESDs has historically been difficult for the public to find — even by the districts’ own commissioners,” Rep. Isaac said Thursday. “I’m confident that both emergency service personnel and taxpayers will be better served by annual reports residing with a state agency more closely tied to ESDs’ mission of public safety and emergency management.”

ESDs are special taxing districts that provide fire or EMS services. Their annual reports were originally the purview of the Office of Rural Community Affairs, which was later absorbed by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

“Transparent and responsible use of taxpayer dollars is one of my top priorities, and HB 1510 seeks to improve the public’s access to information about their taxing districts,” Rep. Isaac said Thursday.

HB 1510 has been sent to the Texas Senate for consideration, where it must be passed before the legislation can be signed into law by the governor.

Rep. Isaac is a fourth-generation native Texan who has served House District 45 since 2011. He is the vice president of the Texas Conservative Coalition, the conservative caucus in the Texas Legislature, and founding chair of the Hill Country Caucus. He is proud to represent Hays and Blanco counties and lives in Drippings Springs with his wife, Carrie, and two sons.

AUSTIN — Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) successfully passed House Bill 2283, which seeks to close a loophole leaving some foster children vulnerable to improper relationships.

“There is a statewide movement to reform our CPS and foster care system, and I’m honored that my bill plays a small role in that movement,” Rep. Isaac said Thursday. “I’m thankful to our Hays County district attorney for bringing this issue to my attention and for his role in protecting children in foster care from abuse.”

Under current state law, improper relationships between employees of certain residential facilities and its residents can be prosecuted as sexual assault. This includes nursing homes, adult day cares, group homes for the mentally disabled, pediatric extended care centers, and similar facilities. Unfortunately, foster group homes were left out. In other words, there is currently no recourse to prosecute a Department of Family and Protective Services employee who engaged in an improper relationship with a foster child above the age of consent.

“I’d like to thank Rep. Isaac for his work to help protect the vulnerable patients in these facilities from those who would otherwise be inclined to take advantage of them,” said Hays County District Attorney Wes Mau.

HB 2283 has been sent to the Texas Senate for consideration, where it must be passed before the legislation can be signed into law by the governor.

Rep. Isaac is a fourth-generation native Texan who has served House District 45 since 2011. He is the vice president of the Texas Conservative Coalition, the conservative caucus in the Texas Legislature, and founding chair of the Hill Country Caucus. He is proud to represent Hays and Blanco counties and lives in Drippings Springs with his wife, Carrie, and two sons.

“I’m excited to have passed this important piece of legislation,” said Rep. Isaac. “Habitat and nonprofit organizations like it provide an outstanding service to Texans in need, helping them find a pathway out of poverty.”

“Homeownership has widely documented benefits, from improved health and economic freedom to more stable family lives,” said Amy Ledbetter Parham, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Texas. “This bill will give more hard-working Texans a boost to buy their own homes. It’s good for them and great for the Texas economy, bringing communities all the benefits of solid neighborhoods.”

With costs of living, property values, and permitting costs on the rise, particularly near urban centers, it has become increasingly difficult for nonprofit organizations to continue helping Texans in need. HB 1512 increases the maximum amount of loans that Habitat and other sweat-equity organizations can extend from $90,000 to $150,000. These loans are partially serviced by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs through the Bootstrap Loan Program and partially by other sources, often charitable grants.

“HB 1512 is one step towards making homeownership more affordable for Texans,” said Rep. Isaac. “I look forward to continuing to work on more ways to reduce regulations, fees, and taxes to relieve the financial burdens on the hardworking people I serve.”

The bill has been sent to the Texas Senate for consideration, where its companion was recently voted out of committee.

Rep. Isaac is a fourth-generation native Texan who has served House District 45 since 2011. He is the vice president of the Texas Conservative Coalition, the conservative caucus in the Texas Legislature, and founding chair of the Hill Country Caucus. He is proud to represent Hays and Blanco counties and lives in Drippings Springs with his wife, Carrie, and two sons.

AUSTIN — Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) successfully amended the Texas House of Representatives’ budget bill to require an audit of potential fraud, waste, and abuse in the welfare system.

“Funds that are intended to help the least among us get back on their feet should be spent for that purpose and that purpose only,” said Rep. Isaac Thursday during budget negotiations. “With over 4 million Medicaid recipients and 3.8 million food stamp recipients in Texas, many of whom overlap, even a small percentage of errors result in an unacceptable waste of taxpayer dollars.”

Rep. Isaac called attention to data pictured below depicting Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program funds spent out-of-state — just one potential form of fraud, waste, and abuse. However, at this time there is no way to know the full extent. Though the Health and Human Services Commission screens welfare recipients for eligibility at the time they apply, there is not a uniform effort to ensure continued eligibility after enrollment.

The amendment directs the Health and Human Services Commission to conduct a study cross-referencing welfare recipients with death records, enrollment in other states-administered programs, lottery winnings, out-of-state spending, employment records, and other factors.

“The people of Texas have entrusted us with their tax dollars — dollars that they work hard to earn — we should treat that trust with the utmost respect,” Rep. Isaac continued.

Rep. Isaac is a fourth-generation native Texan who has served House District 45 since 2011. He is the vice president of the Texas Conservative Coalition, the conservative caucus in the Texas Legislature, and founding chair of the Hill Country Caucus. He is proud to represent Hays and Blanco counties and lives in Drippings Springs with his wife, Carrie, and two sons.

AUSTIN — In response to disturbing reports about wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars within the agency, Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) successfully passed an amendment banning out-of-state travel by employees of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
“The tax dollars you and I work so hard for should be spent responsibly, and TABC’s recent actions are extremely concerning,” said Rep. Isaac Thursday. “They should not go towards pricey trips to alcohol industry conferences that sound more like parties than meetings.”

A recent report in the Texas Tribune shone a light on disturbing practices within TABC, including the expenditure of tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on trips to Hawaii, San Diego, Atlantic City, and other out-of-state locations. In addition to travel expenses, taxpayer dollars were used to pay for open bars, mariachi bands, and square dancers.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature to continue ensuring transparency and responsible use of our taxpayer dollars,” Rep. Isaac continued. “The people of Texas deserve better.”

Rep. Isaac is a fourth-generation native Texan who has served House District 45 since 2011. He is the vice president of the Texas Conservative Coalition, the conservative caucus in the Texas Legislature, and founding chair of the Hill Country Caucus. He is proud to represent Hays and Blanco counties and lives in Drippings Springs with his wife, Carrie, and two sons.